WE may not be able to remember our days at nursery but, if we could, they would hopefully be full of memories of sandpits, fun and laughter.

Days spent playing with toys and getting paint all over our clothes and faces without the wrath of mum and dad to deter us.

Cowgate Nursery children on George IV Bridge

For youngsters attending the Cowgate Under 5s Centre, their time at nursery might be more well documented than others, with the establishment having received more than its fair share of media coverage due to glowing reports.

The nursery has been hailed the best in Scotland, perhaps even Britain, after receiving an unheard of nine “excellent” ratings from the Care Inspectorate. Although not every nursery can boast such a claim to fame, they can celebrate their successes and achievements over the years, such as teaching youngsters right from wrong and early life skills to set them up for the future.

At Niddrie Nursery in November 1958, children were given a lesson in campaigning for what they believed in.

The youngsters grabbed their placards with the words “keep me safe please fit a fireguard” and demonstrated outside shops in Frederick Street.

Niddrie Nursery children with their banners outside the Home Safety Exhibition in Frederick Street in 1958

The photograph of the long line of children from the then Cowgate Nursery School during a walk along George IV Bridge in November 1962 is a far cry from today’s nursery outings, complete with high-visibility jackets emblazoned with the nursery name.

But there’s not much change from the fun kids were having foot painting at Gilmerton Day Nursery in March 1964.